Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 319 The Emperor is faced with two helpless issues
Inadvertently, February has arrived.

Thanks to the scientific epidemic prevention policy adopted by the imperial court, the smallpox epidemic in the capital was effectively controlled after eradicating a village.

Although Rizhongfang, the most serious area, is still under lockdown, everyone knows that the smallpox epidemic is isolated in Rizhongfang, which makes people feel more at ease.

As more and more places in Beijing are unblocked, and the court encourages everyone to wear masks when going out and wash hands frequently with soap when returning home, the streets of Beijing are gradually returning to their former prosperity.

"Haha...the exam has finally started!"

“I thought it was going to be postponed until March!”

"The imperial court is still very powerful this time, and this epidemic prevention policy has immediate results!"

……

The imperial court originally decided to postpone the date of the examination, but now the Ministry of Rites has officially decided to hold the examination on February [-]th, causing the candidates' attention to quickly shift to the meeting.

“My neighbor contracted smallpox and passed away!”

"Fortunately, the imperial court has taken measures, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable!"

"It's strange to say that as soon as the epidemic broke out in the capital, the imperial court quickly closed down all the districts!"

"Isn't it strange? The current imperial court is very efficient, and those officials who were just sitting there and doing nothing were dismissed by the emperor!"

……

Although the smallpox epidemic has not completely ended, the people in the capital are becoming more and more confident in Hongzhi Dynasty, but they know that the end of the epidemic is not far away.

But many people don't know that it was Zhu Youtang who first discovered the smallpox epidemic in the palace, and then quickly arranged for the Shuntian Prefecture and the Ministry of War to adopt the policy of closing the square.

In Wuyi Hall, sandalwood curls up.

After several days of careful care by Yang Zisu, Zhu Youtang had an extra mark on his arm, the few sparse beards under his chin had grown longer, and his eyes looked more determined.

After a cut, gain a wisdom.

In my previous life, I had always mistakenly thought that as an emperor, I could do whatever I wanted, but after experiencing various battles, I discovered that the emperor was far from as stable as everyone thought.

If it is the end of the dynasty, you will face the prying eyes of careerists or foreigners.Even emperors in peaceful times are not guaranteed to encounter conspiracies, and even a bowl of soup or a piece of white silk can change the dynasty.

Although many days had passed since the Ma Wensheng incident, he knew that he still had to be careful, especially because the powerful people in the capital might not really be honest.

"Your Majesty, I must be frank, but this matter should not be rushed. Although cowpox can kill smallpox, the cost is definitely beyond the reach of the imperial court!" Li Si, the Minister of Household Affairs, stood near the door and advised in a serious tone.

Zhu Youtang raised his head and looked at this shrewd little old man, but asked seriously: "Li Qing, no matter how much money is spent on this matter, it is worth it. What is the budget?"

He was not satisfied with this isolation-style passive solution to the smallpox epidemic. During this period, he also made bold attempts and finally "searched" for the optimal method to prevent smallpox.

Since a person infected with smallpox once will not be infected with smallpox again, based on this immunological principle, the imperial court successively adopted the pox clothing method, pox pulp method, dry seedling method and water seedling method.

The ancestors' method was actually to actively infect low-symptom smallpox, allowing the body to produce smallpox antibodies, thereby avoiding the harm caused by smallpox.

Like the pox clothing method, you actually borrow the clothes of a mildly infected person to actively infect yourself with the smallpox virus and allow your body to produce smallpox antibodies.

In multiple tests conducted by the Ministry of Punishment, although one death occurred, the remaining 49 prisoners tested successfully obtained smallpox antibodies.

Ordinarily, a mortality rate of 1000% is relatively low, but after all, the population base of the Ming Dynasty was too large. 20 people could die from [-] million people.

After many experiments, it has been proven that the optimal solution is to actively infect cowpox to produce smallpox antibodies with the same effect through infection with this non-lethal cowpox.

However, in the face of this optimal method of vaccination, Li Si, the Minister of Household Affairs who was in charge of the money bag of the Ming Dynasty, stood up to stop it and pointed his finger at the core money.

"Your Majesty, the prevention and control of cowpox requires the use of cattle. This will not only cause huge losses to the cattle, but will also affect spring plowing and autumn harvest. The loss of agricultural production will be immeasurable. What's more, this thing is difficult to do. I'm afraid the local officials and people will not implement it conscientiously. To put it bluntly, the lives of the people in some places may not be worth as much as a cow!" Li Si knew that the emperor in front of him really wanted to save the people of the world, but he also It is to point out the losses and shortcomings of this matter responsibly.

Not to mention how many cattle will be consumed, and how many places of agricultural production will be affected.

Cattle are the lifeblood of the people. Allowing one's own cattle to be infected with cowpox poses a considerable risk of death. This is a plan that many people will not accept, not to mention that such precious cattle are usually in the hands of landlords. inside.

In addition, the number of cowpox in one cow is limited after all, but it is difficult to achieve one pox per person in the country, so this prevention and control method cannot be implemented nationwide.

Huh?
Liu Jin originally thought that vaccination with cowpox was a trivial matter, but now after hearing the analysis from the Minister of Household Affairs, she silently turned her head to look at the emperor.

Zhu Youtang had never been a paranoid person. Realizing that the nationwide vaccination of cowpox was indeed an almost impossible plan, he seriously asked: "In Li Qing's opinion, what method should the court adopt?"

After Li Si's analysis and the practical results of later generations, he also realized that he had made a mistake.

Although smallpox was eradicated through cowpox in later generations, it is more accurate to describe the eradication of smallpox through cowpox vaccine, rather than cowpox as many people mistakenly believe.

During that period, China already had the technology to cultivate vaccinia virus through newborn calves and other small animals. That is, it could obtain a large amount of vaccinia without using people's cattle, thus greatly reducing the cost of producing vaccinia vaccine.

Even with the transportation conditions of later generations, the government made it clear that smallpox would be eradicated in 1950, but it also encountered various lack of cooperation during the promotion process, and it was not until 1961 that smallpox was completely eradicated.

Today's science and transportation conditions are actually far behind those of later generations, so it can be said to be a fantasy for the imperial court to eliminate smallpox by planting cowpox.

It’s just that cowpox cannot be promoted, but the pox clothing method, pox pulp method, dry seeding method and water seeding method may not be impossible to implement.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the current court does not have the conditions to implement a root-cause cure, so we can resort to a root-cause cure!" Li Si's eyes flashed with a light of wisdom, and he expressed it seriously.

Zhu Youtang actually did not advocate compromise and asked calmly: "How to cure the root cause?"

"The imperial court set up the post of Pox Kelang in each government. The Pox Kelang would learn the methods of prevention and treatment, and promote the method of vaccination in local areas for prevention. If a smallpox epidemic occurs in a local area, the epidemic prevention methods in Beijing will be followed to control the raging of smallpox! Although local epidemics sometimes occur When a smallpox epidemic occurs, there will inevitably be casualties, but local governments can prevent and control the spread of smallpox epidemics on their own. This is enough to save the big!" Li Si knew that things needed to be made, so he immediately put forward his own plan.

Liu Jin's eyes brightened slightly, and she realized that although this plan was not perfect, it achieved the best results with the minimum investment, and she could not help but silently prepare to give the emperor some tea.Zhu Youtang couldn't help but smile bitterly, knowing that he really couldn't save the world, but he said cheerfully: "Since we can't cure the outside, let's prevent the outside!"

"Your Majesty, what is foreign defense?" Li Si looked confused.

Zhu Youtang took a deep breath and said directly with the spirit of an emperor: "Everyone who goes to the South China Sea or the East China Sea needs to be vaccinated before going to sea. This will prevent them from returning home with smallpox!"

It is indeed impossible to vaccinate the whole country with the current resources, but the imperial court is able to vaccinate all personnel who go to sea. This can effectively prevent smallpox from entering China.

In addition, if they are required to be vaccinated before going overseas, this will also improve their ability to survive overseas and prevent them from dying of smallpox infection overseas.

"Your Majesty is wise, I will take care of this matter now and be sure to implement your Majesty's foreign policy!" Li Si, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, his eyes brightened, and he saluted with great admiration.

Zhu Youtang knew that Li Si was a rare and capable minister, so he also expressed his position: "Li Qing has the task of guarding against external affairs. As for guarding against internal affairs, it is as Li Qing said: the imperial court has the post of Xiao Kelang. It’s just how to select the acne doctors and what kind of treatment they will receive. Please come up with a specific plan from your household department!”

"I obey the decree!" Li Si said excitedly when he saw Zhu Youtang adopting his suggestion.

When Zhu Youtang saw that the smallpox matter had been discussed, he seriously warned: "The day after tomorrow, a supreme meeting will be held to discuss the specific terms of the luxury tax. Your Ministry of Household Affairs must be fully prepared to strive for the smooth introduction of the luxury tax!"

Now that the epidemic has been brought under control, there have been no major casualties in the capital, and no major casualties have been caused, so the luxury tax will naturally be put on the agenda.

In fact, this epidemic actually helped the imperial court. Because the dignitaries experienced a thrilling smallpox epidemic, and the imperial court took appropriate epidemic prevention measures, the imperial court's prestige rose to a higher level.

Now that the luxury tax is introduced based on the prestige of the imperial court, it will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"I and my colleagues in the Ministry of Revenue will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations!" Li Si now pointed to the extravagant tax to consolidate Taicang, and he immediately seemed very confident.

Zhu Youtang sent Li Si away, and then summoned Wan An, the chief minister of the cabinet.

Power makes people young. This statement is not true at all when it comes to the internal chief minister Wan An.

Although Wan An is one year older this year, he looks more energetic than last year, his face looks very rosy, and his eyes seem to be less cloudy.

Although the power of the cabinet has been greatly reduced, the throne of the chief minister of the cabinet has become more secure, and Wan'an is still the nominal head of the Ming Dynasty.

Wan An is very satisfied with his current identity and status. He is even glad that he decisively burned down the house last year and followed Liu Jin in to greet him respectfully.

"Mr. Wan Ge, the Ministry of Punishment just came to report!" Zhu Youtang offered Wan An a seat, and then said with a complicated mood.

Wan An is an old fox who is good at observing words and expressions. He immediately caught the change in Zhu Youtang's expression: "Your Majesty, is there any bad news in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment?"

"Ma Wensheng and several other important key figures were infected with smallpox, and several of them have died in prison!" Zhu Youtang sighed secretly and shared the news.

When he used Imperial Physician Cui to wipe out Ma Wensheng and others, he thought that the forces hiding in the capital had been completely eradicated by him, but now it seems that this is not the case.

First of all, there is a person called "Pao Shou" behind this force. Secondly, it is too strange that Ma Wensheng and others were infected with smallpox. It is more like someone killed Ma Wensheng and others to silence them.

In addition, they learned from Dr. Cui that they had a secret laboratory for cultivating smallpox, but when Jin Yiwei arrived, the building was already empty.

Now Ma Wensheng and other important key members have died of smallpox infection, and the mysterious smallpox breeding laboratory has disappeared, which fully shows that there is someone behind Ma Wensheng.

Zhu Youtang originally thought that he had cleaned Jin Yiwei clean, but judging from the feedback from this operation, Jin Yiwei may still have someone else's hidden agenda.

If he had known such a result, he would have directly used the search office of the Metropolitan Procuratorate instead of the Jin Yiwei who had been entangled with various forces earlier.

When Wan An heard the news of Ma Wensheng's death, he seriously guessed: "Your Majesty summoned the old minister for this matter. I am afraid he wants to hear the old minister's opinion on how to handle this incident, right?"

"Yes, that's what I mean!" Zhu Youtang knew that Wan An had never been a paper-paste elder, so he nodded seriously.

Ma Wensheng naturally could not escape death. Whether he was infected with smallpox or was pushed to the guillotine has become unimportant. What is important is how to characterize the matter.

In this epidemic, there is actually a big difficulty.

Although the source of the epidemic has been clearly investigated, it is not suitable to be made public. In particular, the means by which Dr. Cui created the smallpox epidemic cannot be made known to the world.

But if the court does not disclose the truth, it will be difficult to determine the charges against Ma Wensheng and others, and even allow Ma Wensheng and others to escape the condemnation of history.

Now that Ma Wensheng and other key members suddenly contracted smallpox and died, Zhu Youtang became even more hesitant about whether to make this man-made disaster public.

Wan An thought seriously for a moment, then expressed his opinion seriously: "Your Majesty, I have a way!"

"What method!" Zhu Youtang said immediately.

Wan An did not say it directly, but deliberately kept it secret and said: "Your Majesty, do you still remember Ni Yue, the former right minister of the Ministry of Rites?"

"Of course I remember, I will seize the door within three years!" Zhu Youtang said with a flash of resentment and ridicule in his eyes, thinking of the farce in the morning.

Wan An met Zhu Youtang's gaze and immediately offered advice: "Your Majesty has no heirs, and Ma Wensheng and others are secretly planning to murder your Majesty. Ma Wensheng and Dr. Cui also exchanged letters as evidence, so we can be convicted of treason!" "

Zhu Youtang's eyes lit up slightly, and he immediately realized that this processing method was indeed exquisite.

After this incident, he also understood why later generations of rulers wanted to conceal the truth. There were indeed some criminal facts that should not be fully disclosed.

For example, Ma Wensheng is known as a gentleman of the day. If the world knows that this wise minister values ​​his own interests most, it will not only affect the good image of the officials, but also discredit the current court.

Of course, the most important thing is that the smallpox epidemic can spread artificially should not be spread. This incident is likely to induce some people to follow suit and cause local epidemics.

The Ming Dynasty was like a giant ship. Under the helm of Zhu Youtang, it sailed past the smallpox epidemic in the capital in early spring and was heading towards the season of warm spring flowers.

(End of this chapter)